Frederick County Largely Aligns with Governor’s Action
FREDERICK, Md. – Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner today delivered a message of caution and optimism as she updated the community on the battle against the COVID-19 coronavirus. While the rate of new cases continues to improve in Frederick County, hospitalizations remain high, putting the health care system at risk of being overwhelmed if new variants of the virus create a third wave.
“While we are making progress with improved health metrics and our vaccination efforts, our hospitalizations and our deaths remain higher than we would like them to be,” Executive Gardner said. “The virus is still with us, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. We must all be smart and do our part to contain the spread of the virus.”
Frederick County will align with the Governor’s recent action to lift capacity limitations for certain businesses and activities. Businesses must continue to comply with all distancing, disinfecting and masking requirements. Restaurants must continue to space tables at least 6 feet apart, according to the Governor’s Executive Order, which means many restaurants’ capacity will still be limited. Diners must remain seated and cannot congregate. Most citizens will see no difference. Religious organizations, personal services, and indoor recreation establishments should continue to follow all directives and requirements for distancing, cleaning and disinfecting. Masks remain mandatory in all public spaces for people ages 5 and older.
The Frederick County Board of Health regulations that were enacted on Nov. 27, 2020, remain in place. Those regulations limit social gatherings, both inside and outside, to 25 people. Social gatherings include parties, cookouts, parades, celebrations, festivals, conventions and fundraisers, but do not include normal business operations. Wedding venues are limited to 50% and may not serve food in a buffet format. Fitness centers, health clubs, gyms, aquatic centers, and self-defense schools to 25% capacity. A majority vote of the Board of Health is needed to lift these limitations.
Executive Gardner thanked members of the county’s Federal delegation for their support of the newly passed American Relief Bill. Frederick County Government will receive more than $50 million over the next two years to help fund vaccination efforts, lift children out of poverty, provide assistance to businesses, and invest in critical infrastructure. Municipalities within Frederick County will receive an additional $45 million from the legislation.
There have been 17,324 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Frederick County. The county’s seven-day rolling rate of cases for every 100,000 people is 12.60, and the positivity rate stands at 3.69%. To date, 278 Frederick County residents have died as a result of the virus. Vaccines have been administered to 18.9% of the population.
###